Fluid-meter.



w. aunnQ mun mam. (No Model.)

(Application filed Dec. 81, 1896.)

, 6 Sheds-Sheet I.

Patented May 8, I900 I I I fil I1 I x in. "w l N iQ INVENTOR BY I a). ATTORNEY Patented May 8, I900. W. J. GURU.

FLUID METER.

(Application filed Dan. 81. 1896.)

' 6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

V WITNESSES:

THE scams PETERS 00.. lmcfauwq WASHINGTON. n. c.

m. 643,947. Patented May 3, I900.

W. J. GUBD. v FLUID-METER.-

(Application filed Dec. 31, 1896.) (No'MddeL) 6 Sheats-Shaet 3'.

rm: norms p zrzas cc, PHOYO-UTHO" WASNINDTDN, n. c.

No. 648,947. Patented May 8, l900.'

W. J. GURU.

FLUID METER. (Application filed 1300.81, 1896. (No Model.)

WITNESSES: INVENTOR fl/f/ W2 6 aQu-agj BYMQBMD H h 557% M ATTORNEY No. 648,947. Patented May 8, I900.

. w. .1. EURO. v

FLUID METER.

v (Appfication filed. Dec. 31, 1896.) (No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

ll- I IIll lllll Patented May 8,1900.

. w. J. eunn.

FLUID METER.

(Application fl1ed. Dec. 31, 1896.) (N0 M0 I) 6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

Il all I WITNESSES:

STATES AENT FFIC.

WILLIAM J. GURD, OF LONDON,- CANADA.

FLUI D-iMETER.

srncxrron rion forming part of Letters Patent No. 648,94Zdated May 8, 1900'.

Application filed December 31, 1896. fierial No. 617,537. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. GURD,a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing in London, Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented new and useful Improvements in Meters for Measuring and Registering Fluids, Gases, 850., of which the following description, taken in connection with the drawings here with accompanying, is a specification.

My invention has for its object the automatic measurement of fluids ,or gases by mech-.

anism acting witha minimum degree of friction and with equal certainty and precision, whether the fluid or gas is under high or low pressure. tion and combination of parts embodying my invention, as hereinafter set forth in detail, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a meter'embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a front elevation of the samewith certain ofthe parts broken away and in section to more clearly show the interior construction of the meter and certain of the water-passages; Fig. 3, a top view of the same, also showing certain of the parts broken away and in section; Fig. 4, a vertical section taken partly through the center of the meter with the index attachment removed and showing part of the frame or casting broken away; Fig. 5, a detail View showing one form of construction between the index and one of the valves; Fig. 6, a plan view of the plates of the index operating mechanism shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7, an edge view of the plate 70. Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11 represent front and edge views, respectively, of

' certain detached parts of the index-operating mechanism. Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17,18, 19, and 20 represent side and edge views, respectively, of different detail parts, to be hereinafter referred to. 7 Figs. 21, 22, and 23 represent modifications relating to the construction of the measuring-chambers, also to be hereinafter referred to. I

To explain in detail, or represents the outer frame or'sh'ell, Within which the valves and certain other operating parts of the meter mechanism, to be hereinafter referred to, are supported. Upon opposite sides of this frame a and having communication with the valvechambers therein are chambers (represented This object I secure bya construcat Z) and b) which I term the measuring chambers v These chambers, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, are each formed of two circular concave disks b 11 which .are secured together at the outer edges by suitable fastening means, with the inner or adjacent disk or wall of each chamber having a screw-threaded connection with the frame at b in Figs. 2 and 3, whereby the said disks forming the shell of the chambers Z) and bare detachably connected with and supported by the frame a. This described manner of forming the shell of the chambers 11 and band connecting the same with the frame a I have found to be a simple and convenient way for making up the several parts and assembling the same; but it will be obvious, as will hereinafter appear, that the same may be constructed and formed in any other desired manner without departure from my invention.

chambers a and a adjacent to the opposite ends thereof, within which are located two' valves 0 and at, each being provided with four openings or ports'c o c c -and (1'' OZ d (2 respectively, which ports or openings are each separated or cut off from communication with each other from the exterior of the valve by walls a, a a and (L as more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the arrangement of the several dividing-walls for each of the two valves being the same. These valves 0 and d are each provided with Valve-plugs c and d respectively, (shown in detail in Figs. 12 and 13,) which connect two of each of the four valveports, as in the ordinary four-way valve and as clearly shown in Fig.2. The said valveplugs 0 and d are each provided with a fixed stem or extension e on their inner adjacent ends, which stems extend through an opening in one of the walls a of the valve-chambers a and a into two separated chambers h and h, which latter open one into one measuringchamber and the other intothe second measuring-chamber, as more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Upon the inner projecting ends of these stems e are secured crank-arms e, which latter are connected through the medium of pivoted links f with diaphragms g and g, which are located in the said measuring-chambersb and b, respectively, and by which the said valves are operated in a mannor and for the purpose as will hereinafter be described. The said diaphragms g and g are formed of a suitable flexible material that will be proof against the fluids or gases for which the meter may be used for measuring and are secured and clamped at their outer edges between the flat peripheral flanges b b", with which the disks b are provided, so as to divide each of the said measuring-chambers into two parts. Attached together and to the opposite sides of the center of these diaphragms are plates g forming an unyielding and reinforced center to the latter, from one side of which projects a rigid stem or piston 9 which extends into the said chambers h and h, as more clearly shown in Fig. Those stems g with which one end of the valve-connecting links f are connected rest and slide upon the lower side or wall of the chambers 7L and h and serve, in combination with rigid guide-rods 9 which extend from one of the plates g at the oppositeside the same upon the meter mechanism, which is as follows: The water (presuming that wa ter is to be measured) enters the induction pipe or passage m and when the valve-plug c is in the position shown in Fig. 2 will enter the valve-chamber a and take the course as indicated by the arrows, passing through the ports 0 and (3 into a conduit-pipe m, which communicates with the. measuring chamber b at the right side thereof through openings 2' L in the guide rod bearing 2', as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The water thus entering the chamber 1) from the right side moves the diaphragm to the opposite side thereof, as shown, and forces the water in that side of the chamber out, as indicated by arrows in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, through connecting-conduit passage-ways m and m into the Valve-chamber at the upper part and from theinner end thereof and from thence through the ports 0 a and conduit-way m to the outlet or eduction passage m \Vhen the water has passed into the measuring-chamber b from the right and moved the diaphragm to the left or opposite side of the chamber, as described, (which movement of the diaphragm operates the registering-index to indicate the amount of water received into the meter, as will hereinafter be described,) such movement of the diaphragm also operates the connecting valve-plug, which controls the flow of water to and from the second measuring chamber 7), and regulates the same, so that the water, now that the chamber 1) has been filled, will pass through the induction-pipe into the valve-chamber a at the rear of the frame a; and pass through the ports of the valve cl in the same manner as described with relation to the valve 0 into a conduit-pipen, which communicates with the measuring-chamber b at the left side thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The water thus entering the chamberb at the left or outer side moves the dia phragm toward the opposite or inner side of the same, and thereby forces the water in that side out through conduit-ways n and a into the valve-chamber a at the upper part and from the inner end thereof and from thence through ports (1 and (1 into the outlet-passage 027?. It will be understood that the arrangement of the conduit-ways for the passage of the water from the induction-pipe through both of the valves and into the measuring chambers and from the latter out through the valves of the ed notion-pipe is the same. When the diaphragm in the chamberb' has been moved to the right side of the latter, as described, such movement of the diaphragm will have operated the valve-plug c to give the same a quarter-turn and move it to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, thereby allowing the water,now that the chamber l) is filled, to pass through the ports 0 and c of the valve 0 and into the left side of the chamber 1) through the outlet-ways before described. As the diaphragm is now moved to the right by the water entering the left side of this chamber, the water in such right side will be forced out through the conduit m, through which it entered, through the ports 0 and c and into the ednction-pipe on. 3y means of this arrangement and operation ofthe diaphragm and valves it will be understood that the diaphragm of each chamber operates the valve which controls the flow of water to and from the opposite sides of the other chamber, whereby said valves will be automatically operated relative to the several conduits to alternately direct the water from the inductionpipe into one side of said measuringchambers and open the ways for the water to be forced upon the opposite side of the chambers into the ed uction-pipe and then reverse the entrance and outflow of the water to the opposite side'of the chambers. In this manner a very accurate measurement of the fluid or gas passing through the meter may be taken, as the valves areoperated by the diaphragm to change the flow of the fluid or gas only after a certain predetermined amount of the latter has entered the chamber and been registered.

It will be observed that the valve-plugs when operated by the diaphragms receive only a quarter turn or revolution, which movement is much less than the length of vibration or movement of the diaphragm, and in order to allow for this difference of movement- I have provided the stems g with an elongated slot therein, into which apinf on the crank-connecting rods f extends and slides. The length of said elongated slots is equal to the difference in movement of the dia- IIO phragm and valve, as will be obvious,and they also allow the diaphragms to move independently of the valves during the greater portion of their movement across the measuringchambers without acting on the valves, the latter being moved only at the end of movement of the diaphragm.

The amount of fluid or gas entering the measuring-chambers b and Z) is registered by an index k of ordinary construction, which is operated from one of the diaphragms, as will be described. The said index is supported within a shell or casing 75, which, in the present instance and as more clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 has a detachable screwthreaded connection with the frame a at 10 The main spindle k of the index, from which the several hands or fingers of the same are operated through the medium of connectinggearing in the usual manner, is provided with ajstar or three-pronged plate kflsecured thereon, the several prongs or points of which are adapted to be successively engaged to rotate the connected spindle and thereby the index by two projections 76 k upon a vibrating plate k which latter isoperated from one of the diaphragms through the medium of suitable connecting means.

The vibrating plate 766 has a' fixed connection with a vertical supporting-spindle 70 which latter is mounted to turn or rotate in a suitable bearing in the index-frame and on its lower end is provided with a fixed arm or rod 7.: which is arranged in a plane parallel with the plate 7r. This rod it as clearly shown in Fig. 5, is provided with an arm 70*, which is bifurcated at its lower end, so as to loosely embrace the pin f on one of the crankconnecting rods f, whereby it will be operated by the latter. The vibrating plate 70 being thus op'eratively connected with the diaphragmg, it will be understood that ateach vibration of the diaphragm from one side of the chamber to the other the said plate 70 will be likewise vibrated, and the projections 70 k thereon are so arranged relative to the points or prongs of the plate 10 as shown in Fig. 6, that as the plate 1.2 is vibrated in one direction it will engage one of the saidprongs and move the same to give the index-spindle a partial turn, andthereby move the next prong into position to be engaged by the other projection 70 on the return vibration of said plate k as will be obvious upon reference to Fig. 6. The index being thus operatively connected with one of the diaphragms to be operated by the vibration thereof and the vibration of the two diaphragms being dependent one upon the other, as before described, it will be readily understood how the fluids or gases passing through the two measuring-chambers will be'regismay be provided between the vibrating plate and its operating-diaphragm other than that shown without departure from my invention. For instance, in lieu of the bifurcated arm 76 engaging the crank-arm connecting-pin of the linkf, as shown, I sometimes employ a pivoted connecting-link, which is pivotally connected at its opposite ends with the said arm 70 and link f, respectively.

Having'thus illustrated and described my invention as embodied in one practical form, it will be obvious that the same may be more or less modified without departure from my invention. For instance, referring to Fig. 21, I have shown one of the measuring-chambers in a longitudinal cylindrical form, having a rigid piston-head or diaphragm 0 therein as the equivalent of the flexible diaphragms g and g hereinbefore described. In this construction the diaphragm 0 is provided with suitable packing material 0, seated in its outer periphery, for engagement with the cylindrical wall of the chamber, whereby leakage is prevented between opposite sides of the same." The diaphragm thus constructed and arranged is operated to move back and forth across the chamber and operate the connected 1 valve in the same manner as secured by the construction hereinbefore described, and for the purpose of my invention is the equivalent thereof.

Referring to Figs. 22 and 23, I have also shown a modified means for securing the disks forming the measuring-chambers together. In this instance I have shown a grooved band 9 for embracing the flanges of the two disks to secure the same together in lieu of the screws shown in the other figures, which band is secured so as to clamp the disks by suitable fastening means, which, as shown in the drawings, consists of a screw p.

Having thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a fluid or gas meter,-the combination, with two measuring chambers and diaphragms therein, of two separate valve-casings arranged at opposite sides of themeter, rotary valves located in said casings with their axes at substantially right angles to the direction of movement of the diaphragms and each having an axial shaft or extension-connected with one of the latter, and passages connecting'said measuring-chambers at opposite sides of the diaphragm with different ports of the valve-casings, for the purpose set forth- 2. In a fluid or gas meter, the combination, with two measuring chambers and diaphragms therein, of two separate valve-casings arranged at opposite sides of the meter, rotary valvesin said casings, each having a crank-arm connected with one of said diaphragms, the axes of the diaphragms and rotary valves being substantially in the same plane, and passages connecting said measur- 'ing-chambers at opposite sides of the diaphragm with different ports of the valve-eas ings, for the purpose set forth.

8. In a fluid or gas meter, the combination, of two measuring-chambers, diaphragms supported in said chambers and each being provided with a stem having a slot therein, two valve casin gs, rotary valves supported in said casings and each being provided with a crankarm,connecting-rods between said crank-arms and the diaphragm-stems having a loose connection with the latter within the said slots, and passages connecting the measuring-chambers with different ports of the valve-casin gs, for the purpose set forth.

4. 111 a fluid or gas meter, the combination, of two ineasuringchambei's, diaphragms supported within said chambers and each being provided with a stem, two valve-casings, ro-

tary valves supported in said casings and each being provided with a crank-arm, connecting-rods between said crank-arms and the diaphragm-stems loosely connecting the same to permit a limited movement of one independent of the other, passages connecting the measuring-chambers with different ports of the valve-casings, and a registering device having operative connection with one of the diaphragms, for the purpose set forth.

5. In a fluid or gas meter, the combination with two measuring-chambers having diaphragms therein, and valve mechanism having operative connection with each of said diaphragms to be operated thereby to control the flow of fiuid or gas to and from the opposite chambers, of a registering-index having its operating-spindle provided. with projecting arms thereon, a pivoted vibrating plate having projections thereon for successively engaging said projecting arms to operate the index, and means forming an operative c011- nection between one of the diaphragms and the said vibrating plate whereby the latter will be operated by said diaphragm, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a fluid or gas meter, the combination with two measuring-chambers having diaphragms therein, and valve mechanism having operative connection with each of said diaphragms to be operated thereby to con- 'trol the flow of the fluid or gas to and from the opposite chambers, of a registering-index having its operating-spindle provided with laterally-projecting arms thereon, a vibrating plate having means for successively engaging said projecting arms to operate the index, a spindle having a fixed connection with said plate to carry the same and provided with a laterally-projecting arm, and means operatively connecting said arm with one of the diaphragms, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

ILLIAM J. GURD.

Vitnesses:

II. 0. Porn, G. R. B. SIPPI. 

